Calon Cymru Social Worker Wins Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

In April, Calon Cymru Social Worker Tahmina Khan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association (EMWWAA). The award recognises her outstanding voluntary contribution to the BME community as well as the difference she has made and continues to make to families and children through her social work career.

In speaking of winning the award, Tahmina said:

I am absolutely delighted, greatly honoured and feel humbled to receive this prestigious award, and I feel very proud that my work has been recognised. I would like to dedicate this award to those women out there who have given me the opportunity to support them over the years and allowed me to develop my skills and potentials.

Tahmina was born and brought up in Bangladesh before moving to Cardiff in 1981. Since relocating, she has been heavily involved in voluntary work within the Bangladeshi community, alongside working with all BME communities through her social work. Tahmina has been on the committee of three groups, served as a Chair and is also a founding member of several community organisations including:

• Bangladeshi Women’s Association Wales, Tahmina is the current Chair
• Bangladesh Women’s Group
• Club 1400, a Bengali cultural forum
• Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association (EMWWAA)
• Aurav Disha, a multicultural art forum
• Black Worker’s Forum
• Bangladesh Reference Group

Through her voluntary work, Tahmina has been instrumental in helping BME women and their families. She has organised a broad range of activities to raise awareness around issues facing the community, including training and conferences to educate and empower others.

Tahmina has always acted as an advocate for women facing adversity due to language and cultural barriers, and those facing a lack of access to mainstream information and services. She has also been there to support those who have experienced institutionalised racism, discrimination, and abuse from their own community.

Calon Cymru Director, Sharon Cavaliere remarked:

We feel privileged to have Tahmina as part of the team at Calon Cymru Fostering. Tahmina has played such an integral role in supporting communities across South Wales and always has time for others. Tahmina’s kindness and empathy for others is so apparent and we are fortunate to see evidence of that within this agency. Congratulations Tahmina, a well-deserved recognition of the wonderful work you have done and continue to do. Your truly are amazing. Team Calon Cymru fostering are so proud of you!